Question

o additional details were added for this assignment.

the funding of the public library should be protected because the library offers important programs and services that benefit the whole community. according to library director sarah tomlinson, whom i interviewed on may 6, the budget cuts will force the library to discontinue many popular programs and services.

yes, joshuas reasoning is sound because he has adopted the position of a knowledgeable expert.
no, joshuas reasoning is not sound because sarah tomlinson is not an expert on library funding.
yes, joshuas reasoning is sound because it uses a valid source to show that the library will have to cut services that benefit the entire community.
no, joshuas reasoning is not sound because he hasnt asked every member of the community whether they use library services.

Explanation:

Joshua's reasoning relies on a valid source: Sarah Tomlinson, the Library Director, who has direct knowledge of the library's budget and programs. Her statement confirms that budget cuts will end beneficial community services, which supports the claim that library funding should be protected. The other options are incorrect: the first misframes the source as a general "knowledgeable expert" rather than a relevant authority; the second is wrong because the Library Director is an expert on library funding; the fourth is unreasonable as surveying every community member is not required for sound reasoning.

Answer:

Yes, Joshua's reasoning is sound because it uses a valid source to show that the library will have to cut services that benefit the entire community.